This film is part of Free
Indian Life
A motorist's excursion captures a world made by hand in the environs of Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi
Overview
This evocative amateur film gives us a sense of life in what is now Pakistan, just seven years before partition. Near Rawalpindi's Fawara Chowk junction, the magnificent Markazi Jamia Masjid mosque and the Mohan Hindu temple in Mandir overlook peddlers of the Raja and Lunda bazaars. Overhead wires, bicycles and a few cars hint at modernity but the scene is otherwise timeless. The Grand Trunk Road provides a motor route from Pindi to Lahore revealing everyday life in between. Cosmopolitan Karachi concludes the film, with a family dip in the Arabian sea.
This was one of a collection of well over 100 films shot by prolific amateur filmmaker John C. Jewell to document his travels (as well as his sporting interests). Jewell travelled extensively in Europe, Africa and elsewhere with his Swiss-made 8mm cine camera, but his films around India between 1940 and 1945 are among the collection's highlights.
Related
An Eastern Market An Eastern Market
Travelogue 1928 9 mins Silent
Documentary detailing a farmer’s visit to the market in Rawalpindi
Kagan Valley Kagan Valley
Amateur film 1931 15 mins
Amateur travelogue of the Kagan Valley and Darband, Pakistan.
Lahore - Badshahi Mosque Lahore - Badshahi Mosque
Amateur film 1933 7 mins Silent
Extraordinary home movie footage of prayers in the Punjabi capital
Our Garden - Jhelum Our Garden - Jhelum
Amateur film 1945 12 mins Silent
This amateur film captures Colonel and Mrs Lord's garden at Jhelum, as well as soldiers at Karachi.
Life in Hunza Life in Hunza
Amateur film 1937 11 mins Silent
Fertility rites and wine production: life in the Hunza valley in northern Pakistan.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.